CHAPTER 32: BLAMING THE QUEEN

"It’s true—I did all of this."

Before Queen Elizabeth could respond, Luna’s voice cut through the air once more.

"But Mother, are you really blameless?"

Her tone was icy, the fear in her eyes now replaced with burning resentment.

"From the time we were children, you’ve always favored Allen unconditionally.

Even though I was more capable, more cunning—even though he never wanted the throne—you still handed him the title of Crown Prince."

Luna’s eyes were red-rimmed as she glared at the queen.

"If he hadn’t died, I would never have had a chance.

And then—just when I thought it was finally mine—I learned his bastard still lived.

And you, Mother, the moment you heard, you considered passing the crown to her instead."

Her voice turned shrill, laced with bitter mockery.

"Tell me, Mother—weren’t you backing me into a corner all over again?

In the end, Allen died because of your blind favoritism.

This is all your fault."

What a masterclass in shifting blame.

Grandpa Rodriguez shook his head with a sigh.

Camilla and Sinclair’s expressions darkened with disgust.

"You—"

Queen Elizabeth never imagined her own daughter would say such things.

Overwhelmed, she swayed before collapsing in a faint.

"Your Majesty!!"

"Queen—"

"Mother!!"

Luna instinctively rushed forward.

But Camilla was quicker.

She steadied the queen’s collapsing body before Luna could reach her, her icy gaze fixed on Harvey.

"Lord Harvey," she commanded, her voice sharp as steel, "take this person away and confine them.

We’ll await Her Majesty’s judgment once she regains consciousness."

Her eyes flickered toward the others.

"Grandfather, Mr. Lucky—come assist me."

With methodical precision, Camilla directed the scene before helping Sonia carry the unconscious queen back to her chambers.

Grandpa Rodriguez patriarch and Lucky followed closely behind.

Luna crumpled to the floor, her face drained of all color—pale as death itself.

"Guards," Harvey barked, his expression hardening into severity.

"Escort her to the side chamber. No one is to see her without the queen’s direct order."

"At once!"

The royal guards dared not delay any longer.

They stepped forward to restrain Luna and escorted her out.

Kiara watched the scene with wide, fearful eyes, her legs giving way beneath her as she collapsed to her knees, utterly at a loss.

Nolan gazed at her, his expression unreadable.

—— Thanks to the treatment administered by grandpa Rodriguez and Camilla, the queen regained consciousness the following day.

Determined to keep family scandals from public disgrace, she suppressed the truth about Allen’s incident and the news of her own poisoning.

Instead, she announced only the discovery of the former crown prince’s descendant, bestowing upon her the title of the crown Princess.

The revelation sent shockwaves across the nation, with everyone scrambling for details about the newly proclaimed princess.

Once her health had improved, the queen held a press conference alongside Camilla, formally declaring her identity to the world.

High society was stunned to learn that the breathtakingly beautiful Mrs. Luther was none other than the Crown Princess —none more so than Stephen.

"Who would have guessed she had such a background?"

Mr. Harrison flipped through the news, his eyes lingering on the elegant, noble face gracing the cover, his expression a mix of emotions.

"No wonder."

Looking back now, their past collaboration had clearly been the wisest decision.

Of course, where there’s joy, there’s sorrow.

Lying paralyzed in bed, Mr. Harrison was consumed by regret.

He hastily sent a message to Sinclair, hoping to apologize and minimize his losses. Naturally, Sinclair ignored him.

Before anyone realized it, the entire Harrison family had faded from public view.

Yet, this news barely caused a ripple.

Several major events in Country E soon overshadowed it.

Count Easton was found dead in Hill Manor, having taken his own life—reasons unknown.

Princess Luna fell ill and was admitted to the royal hospital for treatment, her condition undisclosed.

Lady Kiara, tending to her mother, also moved into the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Queen’s health showed steady improvement.

Some began piecing together the clues, their hearts pounding with uneasy suspicion.

In just a short span of time, the political winds in Country E had shifted.

All eyes turned to the royal family, speculating whether the Queen would name Princess Camilla as the next heir.

But against all expectations, the palace remained quiet—no word, no hint about the succession.

The storm, it seemed, had gradually settled into an unsettling calm.

Three months later.

In the main palace gardens, Queen Elizabeth, dressed in a sky-blue ensemble, was completely absorbed in the chessboard before her.

After a moment of contemplation, she set down her piece with deliberate grace.

A closer look revealed that her spirits had improved significantly compared to before—her complexion had regained its vitality, and her eyes carried a renewed brightness.

"Camilla," the queen began, her voice measured yet tinged with curiosity, "are you truly not interested in becoming the Crown Princess?"

Camilla placed her own chess piece down and shook her head with a soft chuckle.

"Grandmother, I lack the aptitude for governing a nation.

Entrusting the throne to me wouldn’t be the right choice."

Queen Elizabeth made her next move, the delicate clink of the piece against the board punctuating the quiet between them.

"I know you’re being modest, and I don’t wish to force you," she said slowly, her throat tightening slightly with unspoken emotion.

"But the royal lineage is dwindling.

Aside from you, I have no one else to turn to."

Her son had passed too soon, her daughter harbored treachery in her heart, and her other granddaughter was too spoiled and naive to shoulder such responsibility.

By all accounts, she had failed.

A heavy silence settled over them.

Camilla decisively placed her chess piece down, then lifted her gaze to meet Queen Elizabeth’s eyes.

With a gentle smile, she said, "Grandmother, the toxins in your system have been neutralized.

You’ve got at least another decade or two ahead of you—there’s no need to worry about such matters just yet."

"A decade or two?"

Queen Elizabeth chuckled, her dignified features still bearing traces of the beauty she had in her youth.

"You always know just what to say to cheer me up, you clever girl."

"If you don’t believe me, you should at least trust Grandfather’s judgment," Camilla replied playfully, blinking her clear, expressive eyes.

"You’re in excellent health, so let’s set aside the matter of succession for now."

"Even if what you say is true, and this old body of mine holds on for another decade or two," the Queen mused, setting her own chess piece aside and fixing Camilla with a serious look, "what then?"

Camilla met her gaze steadily, her dark eyes unwavering with resolve.

"If that day ever comes, I won’t shirk my duty.

I promise to present you with a worthy heir."

Understanding her granddaughter’s meaning, Queen Elizabeth’s sharp, deep-set eyes softened with warmth and affection.

"Very well," she said gently.

"I’ll hold you to that."

For this granddaughter who had been lost and found, what she wished for most was simply that she could live life on her own terms.

This was yet another debt she owed Allen.

Camilla set down the chess piece in her hand and grasped the Queen’s fingers, speaking from the heart.

"Thank you, Grandmother."

Queen Elizabeth returned the gesture, squeezing Camilla’s hand before placing her own piece decisively on the board.

"Checkmate."

Camilla’s gaze flicked back to the game, her expression a mix of playful indignation.

"Grandmother, you distracted me on purpose—that’s hardly a fair win!"

"Didn’t your people say all’s fair in love and war?"

Queen Elizabeth threw her head back with a hearty laugh.

"A win is a win.

Who cares how it’s done?"

Camilla studied the radiant elderly woman across from her and couldn’t help but chuckle along, the warmth between them effortlessly.

"But the moment was cut short with the arrival of a guard."

Queen Elizabeth, crown princess, the guard said.

What do you want? Queen Elisabeth asked as she looked at the guard..

Forgive me my Queen but Mr. Nolan is here.

"Bring him in."

" Even though Queen Elizabeth was surprised about Nolan visit but she still wanted to see him so she can thank him properly for finding her granddaughter.

Camilla wasn’t supprised about Nolan visit she immediately understood why Nolan wants to see her grandmother the Queen. So he can cancel the past agreement between his family and the Royal family since the truth is out now.

At that moment foot steps wer heared and a moment later the face of Nolan came to view.